Abstract: A sealable ceiling assembly is provided for use in applications such as clean rooms. The sealable ceiling assembly may include main beams suspended from a support ceiling parallel to each other and cross beams that run perpendicular to the main beams to attach the main beams together. Each cross beam has a bore from which coupling members extend to either side. Each coupling member has a head with a cam surface designed to interlock with a retention slot of the main beam in response to ninety-degree rotation of the coupling member. The coupling members are attached within the bores of the cross beams via set screws that can be rotated after engagement to urge retraction of the coupling members into the bore to tighten engagement of the cross beams with the main beams. Stiffeners may be attached to top nut slots of any of the beams that need reinforcement.

Abstract: A safety arrangement (1) is located beneath the hood or bonnet (3) of a motor vehicle and includes an inflatable element (8) which is formed of a plastically deformable material. A gas generator (14) supplies gas to inflate the element (8) in response to a signal from a sensor (18) which is responsive to impact with a pedestrian. The gas generator (14) passes gas to a chamber (15), and thus through a relatively small aperture (16) to inflate the element (8) with a gradual inflation. If a pedestrian strikes the bonnet, the pedestrian will not deform the bonnet and then be arrested by impact with an engine block or the like, and also the plastically deformable element (8) will deform to absorb energy.

Abstract: An air-bag arrangement in the form of inflatable curtain (1) has a plurality of inflatable regions (12, 19, 25) spaced from the front of the inflatable curtain to the rear of the inflatable curtain. The rear-most inflatable region (25) is connected by a gas flow passage (23) to the lower-most part of an inflatable chamber (22) forming part of the next forward inflatable region (19) at a point remote from the point where a gas flow duct (8) associated with a gas generator (7) injects gas into that chamber (22). The rear-most inflatable region (25) of the inflatable element does not inflate until after the two forward regions (12, 19) have inflated, and possibly does not open until the region (19) connected to the gas flow passage(23) has been struck by the head of an occupant. An occupant in a rear-most row of seats is normally spaced further from the inflatable curtain than a more forwardly positioned occupant, and thus the rear-most chamber (25) will be inflated before being struck by a rear occupant.

Abstract: An exemplary method involves reading a first identification tag. The first identification tag includes an instruction to form a logical connection with a computing device. Address information associated with the computing device is used to form the logical connection with the computing device in accordance with the instruction. Data is obtained. The data is transmitted to the computing device via the logical connection.

Abstract: A telephone network interface is disclosed for facilitating communications through use of a telephone with an embedded device through a gateway and for facilitating communications between a remote service provider and the gateway. The telephone network interface includes a telephone interface for electronic communication with a telephone. The telephone network also includes a gateway interface for electronic communications with a gateway. An external telephone network interface is included for connecting the telephone network interface to an external telephone network. In addition, connection control is also provided. Connection control causes the telephone to be selectively in electronic communication with the external telephone network for telephone calls. The connection control also selectively causes the telephone to be in electronic communication with the gateway for communicating with an embedded device such that device requests from the telephone are communicated to the gateway.

Abstract: An actuatable fastener assembly is disclosed. The actuatable fastener assembly includes a fastener body and a fastener head attached to the fastener body. An initiator is embedded within the fastener body. Activation of the initiator causes the fastener head to separate from the fastener body. The actuatable fastener assembly also includes a retainer that is slidably movable along the fastener body toward the fastener head. The retainer includes a retention feature that resists movement of the retainer away from the fastener head.

Abstract: A spread spectrum communications system adapted to receive simultaneous signals from multiple transmitters, separates frequency error and equalizes and decodes continuous streams of data sets from a plurality of matched filters with frequency correction and which sorts through data and successfully decodes data bits. The spread spectrum communications system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver includes an RF receiver. At least one PNB matched filter receives signals from the RF receiver. A plurality of frequency shifters receives a signal from the at least one PNB matched filter. A plurality of PNA matched filters receives data from the at least one PNB matched filter and the plurality of frequency shifters. An equalizer/decoder receives signals from the plurality of PNA matched filters.

Abstract: A structure for vertically housing an electronic component is disclosed as including a bottom support member and a top support member. The top support member is substantially parallel to the bottom support member. An open space is formed between the top support member and the bottom support member whereby the electronic component may be placed into the open space in a vertical orientation. A ventilating structure is disposed outside of the open space and is capable of channeling air into a middle portion of the electronic component in the open space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the use of a software code by a selected application program are disclosed. The method includes detecting an instance of using the code, identifying the application program that is using the code, confirming a conflict between the code and the application, and reporting the conflict to one or more selected parties. Confirmation of the conflict may occur by using a database whose content includes a plurality of selected application programs, along with a corresponding plurality of proper software codes, such as DLL files, which are appropriate for each of the selected application programs to use. A computer workstation or networked computer system may embody the method in the form of instructions stored in a machine-accessible medium.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a telephone that provides for automatically and accurately tracking calling plan charges using carrier plan rules, for informing a user of accrued charges on request, and for providing messages and signals to a user so that the user may budget telephone use and thereby lower the user's costs.

Abstract: A valve for controlling flow of a primary fluid in a primary flow channel comprises a valve fluid channel, and a membrane of a porous dielectric material located in the channel so as to divide the channel into an inlet part and an outlet part and so that valve fluid flowing between the inlet and outlet parts flows through the said membrane. First and second electrodes are located for electrical communication with valve fluid in the inlet and outlet parts respectively of the valve fluid channel for application of an electric potential across the membrane in order to promote electro-osmotic flow of valve fluid through the membrane.

Abstract: A method for context-based processing of print data is provided. The method includes partitioning a document to be printed into a plurality of regions of interest. The method also includes determining context data for a first region of interest of the plurality of regions of interest. The context data may include information about how first print data corresponding to the first region of interest should be processed. The method also includes using the context data to process the first print data.

Abstract: A firearm cartridge has a case configured with a relatively straight-walled portion and a shoulder portion for housing a quantity of propellant. The case further includes a neck for retaining a bullet. The straight-walled portion defines a base cavity having an interior base diameter. The interior base diameter is approximately twice or more the neck diameter. The diameter ratios of the base and neck optimize combustion efficiency to reduce heat and acceleration losses. The cartridge body cavity is sized and configured to contain a sufficient quantity of propellant such that igniting the propellant causes formation of a propellant plug having a diameter that is approximately the diameter of the bullet, and wherein the propellant plug shears free from unburned propellant that is disposed adjacent the relatively straight-walled body portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition and method for regulating the adhesion of cells and biomolecules to hydrophobic surfaces and hydrophobic coated surfaces. The composition is a biomolecule conjugated end-group activated polymer (EGAP). The biomolecule conjugated EGAP can be put to numerous uses including cell adhesion, cell growth, cell sorting, and other biological assays.

Abstract: A timer that facilitates a user's scheduling and controlling of the operation of an irrigation system for irrigating a property, the timer including a base unit electrically connected to the valve, and a handheld unit including a power source, a CPU, a valve controller, a memory device, and software stored in the memory device. The irrigation system includes a valve, a conduit, and a distribution unit that distributes fluid over an irrigation zone of the property. The handheld unit is used remotely from the base unit to modify an irrigation schedule of the valve. The irrigation schedule is used with the valve controller to operate the valve according to the irrigation schedule through communication with the base unit.

Abstract: An airbag module may have an inflator, a cushion, and a housing that contains the inflator and the cushion. The housing has an outer wall formed of a flexible material and a bracket designed to be attached to a vehicle. During deployment, the cushion is expelled out of the housing through the bracket. The inflator remains in the housing and inflation gas is conveyed to the cushion through the housing. The inflator may be retained by flaps wrapped around the inflator and secured to a perpendicularly oriented diffuser of the inflator. Alternatively, the diffuser may extend through an orifice formed in a fabric wall within the housing, and retention portions of the outer wall may be wrapped around the opposite side of the inflator. The airbag module may be mounted in an instrument panel to provide front seat, passenger's side impact protection without requiring a rigid module housing.

Abstract: An inflatable fabric cushion is disclosed that can maintain a high internal pressure while having an exposed inflator squib. The inflatable cushion has a precision opening sized to be commensurate with a diameter of the inflator squib. The precision opening tightly circumscribes the inflator to limit leakage of inflation gas when the squib projects out of the opening. The cushion also has a throat through which the inflator may be inserted into the cushion. After the inflator is inserted into the cushion, the throat is sealed closed by wrapping the throat around the inflator housing and being cinched when the airbag assembly is mounted on a vehicle.

Abstract: The application provides airbag cushion deployment restraint systems for use in inflatable airbag cushions. The deployment restraint systems of the invention regulate deployment of an airbag cushion to provide full radial expansion of the cushion prior to final expansion of the cushion toward a vehicle occupant. The deployment restraint systems of the invention thus increase the amount of contact surface area available to a vehicle occupant early in deployment and decrease the force with which the cushion is expanded toward a vehicle occupant during a collision event, thus reducing the likelihood of injury to an out-of-position vehicle occupant.

Abstract: An airbag module may include an inflator, a cushion, and a deflection hood. When used as a passenger side, frontal impact module, the cushion deploys upward from a vehicle instrument panel. The deflection hood directs gas downward through a discharge opening and into the cushion to expedite inflation of the lower portion of the cushion to more uniformly cushion a vehicle occupant's body. The discharge opening may be sewn shut via a tear seam to ensure that the discharge opening is properly positioned when the tear seam opens to release inflation gas. Alternatively, the discharge opening may be sewn shut by a non-tearable seam, and perforations may be applied proximate the non-tearable seam so that the discharge opening opens along the perforations to release the inflation gas. According to one alternative, the deflection hood may be angled within the cushion to provide a significant asymmetrical, lateral gas flow.

Abstract: A structure for vertically housing multiple computer systems is disclosed. The structure includes a bottom support member and a top support member substantially parallel to the bottom support member. The top support member is attached to the bottom support member by two side members. Bottom guides are mounted to the bottom support member, and top guides are mounted to the top support member. The top guides are substantially parallel to the bottom guides and are substantially aligned with the bottom guides. A computer system having a top groove and a bottom groove slides into a computer space in between the top support member and the bottom support member by having the top groove align with a top guide and by having the bottom groove align with a bottom guide to provide a fitting relationship. The computer system slides into the computer space to a non-backplaned rear.